Rear Window Visibility

nancyr · 04-30-2005, 07:52 PM

Have been on Prius list for long time. Dealer finally got one in to drive. Having long driven a Sienna van, my first impression of view out rear window was not positive - venetian blind effect. Is this a problem for anybody? Does one quickly accllimate to the newer, lower, interrupted view? Slightly worried about this. Any thoughts?

Other than that I loved it.

Nancyr

**Tideland Prius** · 04-30-2005, 07:55 PM

You'll get used to it. The lower window can help if you need it. The rear spoiler will block headlights if the vehicles are travelling at a safe distance behind so that's a plus.

If you're backing up into a spot with a solid wall behind you, you can back up until the reverse light reflections on the wall, cross each other and then some (maybe an inch? between the two lights)

nancyr · 04-30-2005, 08:03 PM

Thanks very much.

priusham · 04-30-2005, 09:50 PM

Nancy, to colaborate withTideland Prius, when I went for my test drive, I actually thought to myself as I glanced out the rear mirror, "Oh boy... I don't know if I can live with that!"

It annoyed me for about another minute and then I actually got used to it.

It really does do a nice job blocking headlights from tailgaters, too!

**TonyPSchaefer** · 04-30-2005, 10:18 PM

I think it's easy to get annoyed with things that are different from what we're accustomed to. But like all things, you will not only get used to the spoiler and split-window, you'll really appreciate that the bottom half is heavily tinted to ease the late-night headlights behind you.

nancyr · 04-30-2005, 10:30 PM

Precisely! And it was disheartening because I have been longing for this car for so so long. Everything I read, including looking around on this forum, seems positive and few have even mentioned this issue.

So I hope my acclimation will be as quick as yours if I ever get up far enough on the list to lay hands on the Automotive Holy Grail. In the meantime, I will lay low and keep reading to learn as much as I can in advance.

P.S. Non-automotive aside: Love your kitty - Looks just like my twin furballs, Mango and Kumquat, collectively known as the "Fruitsalad," who often strike similar poses. They do not like to ride in cars, any cars at all, however.

jamarimutt · 04-30-2005, 10:50 PM

I got used to the rear view quickly. The only thing that I have not gotten used to is how much the car rattles over uneven terrain.

finiyon · 04-30-2005, 11:22 PM

Can we get back to backing up. I just had to back up, at night, in the rain . . . the brake light reflection off the glass is a problem for me. Anyone else have that issue?

nancyr · 04-30-2005, 11:33 PM

Hmmm. Hadn't even thought about that since I only backed up the demo model in daylight hours.

Bob Allen · 05-07-2005, 05:56 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius\";p=\"86050)</div>

Quote:

You'll get used to it. The lower window can help if you need it. The rear spoiler will block headlights if the vehicles are travelling at a safe distance behind so that's a plus.

If you're backing up into a spot with a solid wall behind you, you can back up until the reverse light reflections on the wall, cross each other and then some (maybe an inch? between the two lights)[/b]

Cool idea about the crossed reflections from the backup lights. Anyone tried one of those fresnel lenses that you can stick to the rear window of vans? They were popular among VW bus drivers. The flexible plastic can be cut to shape. I was thinking of trying one. I did have one on my Rabbit hatchback and I could actually see the rear bumper in the rearview mirror.
If I find one at my local funk shop, I'll get it. If it works, I'll post it. Much much cheaper than a 500 dollar rear camera installation.

04-30-2005, 07:52 PM	#1
nancyr Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Rear Window Visibility Have been on Prius list for long time. Dealer finally got one in to drive. Having long driven a Sienna van, my first impression of view out rear window was not positive - venetian blind effect. Is this a problem for anybody? Does one quickly accllimate to the newer, lower, interrupted view? Slightly worried about this. Any thoughts? Other than that I loved it. Nancyr

04-30-2005, 10:50 PM	#7
jamarimutt Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 972 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Rear Window Visibility I got used to the rear view quickly. The only thing that I have not gotten used to is how much the car rattles over uneven terrain.

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04-30-2005, 07:55 PM	#2
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,931 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	You'll get used to it. The lower window can help if you need it. The rear spoiler will block headlights if the vehicles are travelling at a safe distance behind so that's a plus. If you're backing up into a spot with a solid wall behind you, you can back up until the reverse light reflections on the wall, cross each other and then some (maybe an inch? between the two lights)

04-30-2005, 08:03 PM	#3
nancyr Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks very much.

04-30-2005, 09:50 PM	#4
priusham Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan - land of everlasting snowflake icon! Posts: 525 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Nancy, to colaborate withTideland Prius, when I went for my test drive, I actually thought to myself as I glanced out the rear mirror, "Oh boy... I don't know if I can live with that!" It annoyed me for about another minute and then I actually got used to it. It really does do a nice job blocking headlights from tailgaters, too!

04-30-2005, 10:18 PM	#5
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 8,443 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 16	I think it's easy to get annoyed with things that are different from what we're accustomed to. But like all things, you will not only get used to the spoiler and split-window, you'll really appreciate that the bottom half is heavily tinted to ease the late-night headlights behind you.

04-30-2005, 10:30 PM	#6
nancyr Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Precisely! And it was disheartening because I have been longing for this car for so so long. Everything I read, including looking around on this forum, seems positive and few have even mentioned this issue. So I hope my acclimation will be as quick as yours if I ever get up far enough on the list to lay hands on the Automotive Holy Grail. In the meantime, I will lay low and keep reading to learn as much as I can in advance. P.S. Non-automotive aside: Love your kitty - Looks just like my twin furballs, Mango and Kumquat, collectively known as the "Fruitsalad," who often strike similar poses. They do not like to ride in cars, any cars at all, however.

04-30-2005, 11:22 PM	#8
finiyon Re-Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 63 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #3 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Can we get back to backing up. I just had to back up, at night, in the rain . . . the brake light reflection off the glass is a problem for me. Anyone else have that issue?

04-30-2005, 11:33 PM	#9
nancyr Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hmmm. Hadn't even thought about that since I only backed up the demo model in daylight hours.